In a strong showing of force this past weekend the Dallas Magpies have pulled of their biggest win of the season - but this time the victory was off the field. The big winner on Saturday May 2nd was also the community of Happy Trails who got more than they bargained for when the Senior Dallas Magpies Australian Football team showed up armed with an arsenal to take on any home renovation project.
Not known as being the the tallest guy on the footy field, centerman Charlie Richardson, made up for his lack in inches andput his brain to work. ”Finally” said Richardson, ”I can put this great big head I have to some good use.” Quickly assessing the situation, Richardson realized that trying to shovel 10 tones of soil with a spade you’d find at the beach would just simply take too long. He went back to his former career when he was a community recycle center trash manager and drove a bob cat. 
Arriving back to a thundering cheer from other Habitat helpers, Charlie had pulled of the impossible and was seated in what seemed to be a monster of a machine, that would prove invaluable in moving the earth. Like he had never left the recycling center, Richardson became the town hero and effortlessly moved the turf from the road to the footpath. Onlookers were so taken aback by this unusual feat that they too requested the assistance of Charlie. Before long the entire neighborhood was chanting for Chalie and no doubt about it, Charles was in charge in a superb best on field performance.
Following the excavating work the entire team rose to the occasion, somewhat inspired by the bobcat man and set about painting the town red - but this time it wasn’t red it was eggshell white and it wasn’t a town it was a house. The Dallas defensive and offensive lines, paintbrushes in hand, stroked up and down for what seemed like hours to produce what could only be described as the Leonardo di Vinci of Happy Trails. Passers by stopped to amaze at the brilliance and use of color, texture and light. At the end of the long day the scoreboard read Dallas Magpies 1 house painted, 10 tones of dirt moved, 20 happy neighbors and1 satisfied community and football team.
It was a touching end to a memorable day as organizer and senior executive charitable spokesman for the club, Jess Wortman, broke down in tears with an emotional speech, recognizing the countless hours of work put in by his fellow team mates and for the great cause that was Habitat for Humanity. As the sun set in the west the Dallas players led by Steven Moore and Jim Rhodes hoisted Charlie Richardson’s head above their shoulders and carried him off the playing field.
Stay tuned for Dallas’ next Charitable event. But until then be sure to look out for the Moustache Mayhem and the return of the cookie duster 09 - coming to a thrift store near you. Saturday May 9th.